51% Bourbon Lounge

Well, after my previous glowing review I simply have to update. Since returning I have received mediocre service on a couple of occasions. However on one occasion in particular I was spoken to extremely rudely by a bar tender.
I was out for my friends engagement party a few months ago now. The bar wasn’t especially busy, however there were quite a few of us in our party. There were two members of staff on a Saturday night which for a bar of this size is ok I suppose, you’d thing. WRONG. I was waiting a while and when I got served I ordered a mint julep, unfortunately the girl I asked was new and still training so didn’t know how to make it, which is fair enough, though you’d think they’d have another person on the bar to make up for this. The other bar tender came up to me and rudely told me they weren’t doing cocktails at that time (even though the menu was on the bar). When I asked why, he was like ‘well she’s new and I am too busy’, right… so I go into a bar and they are too busy to make me a drink… what? I must point out that by this point there was actually only me and 2 other people MAX waiting at the bar.
Extremely rude, poor service, and I will think twice before returning. I had recommended this bar to the group I was with and ended up embarrassed that I had after other poor encounters my friends faced that evening.

Again I was here as part of the Unilocal Leeds Loves Cocktails.
The angel of the evening Rowena did a deal with the owner and we were set for discounted drinks for the night.
This is another place that is somewhat hidden away and I am really glad we came here.
The cocktails were amazing.
I really wish I had written them down or attached the names to the pictures when I took them. But being in a boozy haze has made me forget them.
This is not a bad thing as it gives me the perfect excuse to go back!
The only downside that could see was that the bar man was, for whatever reason, not in a good mood.
I never saw him smile once.
I am sure that he even shook his head when I placed my last drink order.
He was on his own and was having to work very fast in order to keep the drinks flowing.
That is the reason I haven’t given it 5 stars, but anyone can have an off night.

Before I start… this place has one of the weirdest toilets in Leeds. Why is there an urinal and a toilet all in one? Yeah, two dudes can bond while one takes a crap and one takes a whizz!
This place really feels like it’s away from the main stomping ground of the weekend warriors that invade Leeds City Centre on weekends, even though it’s not that far from Call Lane, therefore it’s relatively chilled and there really isn’t much (or any) trouble going on. The very intimate entrance maybe intimidating people? It really feels like you’re going somewhere unique and special on entering this place. However, just because it’s off Call Lane, doesn’t mean Call Lane pricing is dead.
There is a hell of a lot of bourbons in here! They honestly have many bourbons that you cannot find anywhere else. The barman was extremely knowledgeable, was very friendly, card was accepted (yay), the balcony/​smoking area was really great and the drinks were very very nice indeed, but why have I given the place only 3 stars?
I honestly would have to have money when entering here. The place is all about drink and the appreciation of alcohol (bourbon whiskey in particular) and conversation. It is a quite expensive bar, though i understand why when you’re buying nice whiskey that you can’t find anywhere else.
Not earning a lot of money destroys the experience of a lot of places like this in Leeds, and places like this and North Bar are all about the alcohol, meaning there is nothing else that warrants going in if you’re a bit skint or not up to convo. Just means the place is overrun with the yuppie, hipster, post-​grad and trendy crowd (mainly from North Leeds) who have a bit of cash and there isn’t a great ethnic mix. The sort of people who come here reflect the sort of bar the place is.
Main things that define a bar: Pricing, environment, clientele (age, gender, race/​ethnicity, socioeconomic status), music (live music?) and sort of drinks on offer.
Places like Sela get away with things because they have relatively fair priced local beer on tap and the main emphasis is on the live music and an appreciation of music.
The music policy is also a downer because the music sort of sucks and doesn’t suit the atmosphere. I suppose you’d come here not caring about the music, but music is the all for me. I think a strictly classic 70s/​60s rock, rockabilly or country playlist would be perfectly suited in here. Really anything except for the student music they were playing. I like going to places where I know I’m not going to hear mainstream ‘Albion Street’ and ‘Otley Run’ stuff. Mainstream indie is a weird choice for a not-​so-​mainstream bar in an alley specializing in whiskey.
So… on conclusion the main reason I can’t give 51% a 4 is because the music isn’t very exciting, no DJ, and the drinks are expensive and no beer on tap destroy the deal for a lot of people, but it’s still a decent bar and better than many places on Call Lane. It’s a place that looks expensive and is. This place is best if you have people who you’re really good friends with ad want to have a conversation and chill. Maybe its a good place for a date (as I was seeing a lot of couples in here)?
Before people call me a ‘cheapskate’, my ideal is that when you have pricey drinks there best be another reason for coming in, and that’s what certain places that do live music or have a good well thought out music policy have mastered.

Like most things I get invited to these days I checked the reviews on Unilocal prior to going on Fri 18^th and was very much looking forward to having a reason to go here
I’m sad to say the birthday boy, the rest of the party and I were disappointed!
They had been advised to expect between 18 – 24 of us around the 7.30pm mark so you’d assume they’d be prepared– Y then was only 1 member of bar staff on?
Due to this-​service was slow and it impacted on the group.
It was 241 on some drinks so this worked in some peoples favour in keeping the costs down.
Those who have been know the venue isn’t huge so we had to cram everyone into one small corner which didn’t help us trying to mingle.
The décor and setting is very nice, a bit different from your average bar in Leeds which gives it a good edge– the stairs are lethal though!
There is a great selection of spirits with Bourbon of course being the predominant one. There is also a nice selection of bottled beer available.
The music was being controlled by the Barman and we asked him to skip one of the tracks as it was a bit depressing and he wouldn’t! It was a birthday party, we saw this is a reasonable request which we’d done in a polite manner yet was met with a stony NO! This did not win him any friends so we decided to leave.
I’d confidently say that this wouldn’t be any of our party 1^st choice for drinks in Leeds in the very near future and I hope sincerely that it was just a one-​off bad day they were having!

Occasionally in life there are situations where the planets align and something very special happens. This bar is my planetary alignment. It combines 3 things that I love in life. A rustic bar, good music and whiskey. Lots and lots of whiskey. The name says it all really. Don’t be fooled into thinking you can get one of the usual crowd of brands here. They purposefully avoid the usual crowd. And in their place are a plethora of amazing whiskeys to try and bar staff that are hugely knowledgeable.
The setting is superb. Rustic, sturdy with a great feeling of being ‘lived in’. It reminds me in no small way of an old irish bar that holds a very special place in my heart. I cannot wait to walk up the stairs, lean on the bar and ask the barman for a double of what he recommends.

Am I a fan of bourbon? Of course. I have no such biases when it comes to alcohol, and I’ve enough room in my heart for all the whiskies, indeed, all the boozes. As such, it was inevitable that I would find myself here some day to imbibe libations until the wee hours, and that day has come. (When I say day, I really mean night.)
What are you looking for of a Saturday evening? If it’s a good solid drink, then 51% is your man. There are options for the bourbon-​shy, but when in Rome, one must dive right in. Not only are there more bourbon variations than one person could hope to comprehend, but you’ve an ace selection of beers and a few other liquors to raise your spirits. It’s the kind of place where you ask for a recommendation, really, as I’m assuming neither you, as nor I, would know where to begin.
I started off with some concoction that the bar man himself had crafted-​this item of information is almost entirely useless, since I know not what it was called, nor what comprised this delicious beverage. But on the sixth day I drank a bourbon cocktail, and it was good. (His name is Henry, I’m sure if you ask, he’ll oblige.)
If you’re after a venue that not only serves excellent drinks, but has table space for your friends, and a conversation-​friendly music policy, then again –51% is your Huckleberry. Our group at one stage must have been 10 strong, and we all had seats. We all had chat. We all had merriment and even made some new friends at the table next to us. It’s the kind of place you can make friends.
There’s a delightful smoking balcony, from which one can glean a delightful view of the carnage below, and the rooftops nearby. Hidden enough to feel unique, but populated enough to feel a part of the city. I’m fond of this view. As for what marks the walls, you’ll find an array of rustic accoutrements to gaze upon inside, from retro posters, to old school machinery in the ceiling. It creates a good vibe.
All in all, it’s an awesome spot, and one to be coveted by jolly japers of a similar ilk to me. Start the carousal in 51%, and if you’re still going come 3am, Leeds will have you –you might just have to venture deeper in.

Discovered this place via a groupon or kgb deal, Barman was spot on with his reccomendations, i do like the honey wild turkey, they also sell bourbon based coctails and a few bottled beers, big screen for the footy etc, my m8 had to be let in and undressed by his missus after being in here. i was fresh as a daisy

My latest most favourite bar in Leeds!
I’m not a massive bourbon fan, in fact, I’ll be honest & say that I generally don’t even like it — but after doing a tasting session here (which was amazing, and I’d definitely recommend it for anyone, not just bourbon drinkers) I’ve found that there are a few that I can drink — which isn’t really that much of a surprise given the volume of choice…
For those like me I’d recommend the cherry bourbon with coke. or there’s a really good cocktail which I think is called Jumping Jack Flash (or something similar!).
It’s one of those places that is bound to become really popular, so take advantage of the quieter times here before everyone finds out how good it is!

We found this wonder of a place after the Tea Time Tassel Off and it is beautifully in keeping with the Burlesque theme with red lighting and little lamps dotted around the low tables accompying the coaches. Or if you prefer the high stools around barrel tables near by the brick work fire place. It even has a balcony for smokers convenience.
As a Rum drinker myself I was at a loss by the wall of Bourbon/​Whiskey on offer but was more than satisfied with the barman’s expertise with the offer of a rumesk whiskey.
Can be on the pricey side but no more than any establishment with the mill equipment hovering above in the beam work.
All in all a very good find I will try and locate again another civilised evening.

For the love of Bourbon, this place has loads and loads of Bourbon which makes me a happy chappy. Prices are resonabale and if you double up I believe you get a discount something like 20 percent off a 50ml measure of the good stuff. They have single barrell things, special editions, rare bourbon and even the odd crazy expensive bourbon. Bourbon cocktails and a decent selection of bottle beer for the people that arent into their bourbon. The only gripe I have about this place is the restrooms very small and they dont smell to well, Im sure they will get it sorted eventually even the new places in town need to iron out their kinks.